# CVE-2018-3725: hekto path traversal vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-3725-hekto-path-traversal-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2018-07-26. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2018-3725 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.1 · Published 2018-07-26

hekto is a Node.js library used for file serving and content management. A path traversal flaw in versions before 0.2.3 allows unauthenticated attackers on the network to read arbitrary files from the affected system, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, credentials, or other confidential data.

Technologies: [hekto (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/hekto). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2018-3725 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2018-3725 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2018-3725?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.1, published 26 July 2018.

**Which products and versions are affected?** hekto (npm) before 0.2.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2018-3725?** A patch was published on 2018: Fix available in version 0.2.3 or later Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2018-3725 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2018-3725?** Check whether you run hekto (npm) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is a classic path traversal flaw (CWE-22) in hekto versions before 0.2.3 that allows remote attackers to bypass directory restrictions and access arbitrary files on the system. The attack requires no authentication and is network-accessible, making it trivial to exploit. By crafting malicious file path requests (e.g., using ../ sequences), an attacker can read the contents of any file readable by the application process. The vulnerability was fixed in version 0.2.3 and later.

## Affected products

- npm hekto before 0.2.3

## Identifiers

- CVE-2018-3725
- GHSA-x26f-26qw-hhhx

## Timeline

- 2018-06-07: disclosed
- 2018-07-26: advisory
- 2018: patched: Fix available in version 0.2.3 or later

## References

- [https://hackerone.com/reports/311218](https://hackerone.com/reports/311218)

## Related threats

- [hekto open redirect vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/hekto-open-redirect-vulnerability-8f794a81)
- [hekto open redirect in filename handling](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-3743-hekto-open-redirect-in-filename-handling)